The votes are in!

We asked you to nominate flms for the annual shortlists and boy, did you oblige...

FORGET THE OSCARS. Ignore the BAFTAS. Don’t even think about the Golden Globes. Call us biased, but as far as we’re concerned, the only awards show worth its golden salt is the Empire Awards. Back this year for its 23rd edition, it’s the only major awards show to be voted for by you, the shrewd and brilliant Empire reader. Unlike pretty much every other major awards show, we’re not afraid to recognise every kind of film — from mainstream Hollywood blockbuster to micro-budget British indie, from prestige dramas to goofy comedies.

Anyone who’s already participated in the first round of voting can attest to what a tricky task it is picking your favourite films and performances from the past 12 months. This year has been as broad and bountiful a selection of films as any we can remember. Superheroes continue to impress us on both sides of the Marvel-dc aisles, from the wows of Wonder Woman to the guffaws of Thor: Ragnarok. Elsewhere, you can find pathos in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, pigs in Okja, primates in War For The Planet Of The Apes, and peaches in Call Me By Your Name. Plus, it’s been another strong year for Brits, with God’s Own Country, Dunkirk and Paddington 2 each demonstrating a very different vision of the United Kingdom. All of them are eligible for Empire Awards — as is every film released between 1 February 2017 and 31 January 2018.

The shortlists are sbout to revealed — keep your eyes peeled at Empire Online when the final shortlist will be revealed any day. Amidst much metaphorical — or possibly even real — rolling of drums, the winners will then be announced on 18 March.